MINNEAPOLIS - For the first time in over a month, the Cass Lake-Bena boys basketball team found a worthy match.
Minnesota Transitions Charter School defeated Cass Lake-Bena 87-77 in the Class A state tournament semifinal Friday at Target Center, putting the Panthers in Saturday's third place game against Norman County East at Concordia-St.Paul. Game time is set for 10 a.m.
It was a blow to the Panthers, who made it their goal to return to the state championship game this season and bring a title back to northern Minnesota.
"In a sense we're speechless, but we have to keep our heads up," Cass Lake-Bena head coach Dan Ninham said. "It's an emotional time for our kids, but we'll have some time together and then we'll get after it."
Virgil Baker scored 26 points to lead Minneapolis-based Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTS) to Saturday's championship game against defending state champion Ellsworth, which defeated Norman County East 66-52. It will mark the first time a charter school will compete for a state basketball championship in Minnesota.
ADVERTISEMENT
Freshman Kyle Noreen scored 23 points for MTS and his 3-point shooting subdued the Panthers early in the game. Kavarian Williams had 20 points.
Nate Salschedier scored 24 points to lead Cass Lake-Bena, which lost the game with cold shooting in the second half. The Panthers were 11-for-33 from the field in the second half and could not keep the game in reach.
Reaching double-figures for Cass Lake-Bena (28-4) was Joel Salscheider with 19 points, Martin Wind 14 and Nate Howard 12.
For more on Friday's game pick up Saturday's print edition of the Pioneer
